Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

I will graduate after this semester and would like to work for a year or two before I actively apply to medical schools. How can I best land a health-related job that would get my feet wet, given that I will have a bachelor's degree without any health/medical training?

From: Joy Rook, Senior, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor


ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Joy -

I must admit I'm curious: Why put off medical school? If you have the grades now, why not go for it? If the grades aren't there now, they likely won't be there later. But if it's due to a lack of funds, you may find it difficult to get ahead enough to support your future medical school ambitions.

Back to your question. My answer would always be to pursue the profession in general, even though you may not be in the type of position you would hope for. Specifically stated, you will be better off being a receptionist in a doctor's office and making $8/hour than earning $12/hour as a waitress in a fancy restaurant. Even though it may not be as financially profitable in the short-term, it will always pay off in the long run.

With that industry focus to start your search with, you will find it much easier to target potential employers (hospitals, health clinics, doctor's offices, and--dare I say it--nursing homes). Don't be afraid to let them know of your doctorly aspirations. Even though you don't have your medical degree yet, I assume you have been through the basic pre-med curriculum. This training would give you a definite advantage in understanding medical terms and procedures, even though you haven't yet worked in the field.

Please remember, even though you haven't "worked in the field," you still have a tremendous amount of experience. Your training to date is what you need to leverage when you make contact with potential employers. You may have to start at the bottom (literally even cleaning bedpans--yuck!), but it gets your foot in the door.

Most hospitals post positions internally before they are made generally known to the public. If you know of a person (or know someone who know someone...) that works at a particular hospital, have them "check the board" for you on a regular basis. But you'll still need to make direct contact, either by phone or in person.

You might even be able to find a position at the teaching hospital attached to the medical school you want to get into. These hospitals usually have more difficulty attracting candidates due to lower than market wages, so your direct interest alone may be attractive to them. And it may provide you with the "double in" of giving you the inside edge for applying to medical school there.

Remember, it never hurts to know someone on the inside. What hurts is to continually stand on the outside looking in. Do your best to gain access to the inside.

Happy hunting!

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All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.